One way you can judge whether the latest foreclosure fraud trial balloon is legitimate or just more talk is from the reaction by public officials who oppose a settlement. The indications are they’re taking it seriously. But they’re also making some great points about why it needs to be shut down. First, Sen. Maria Cantwell [...]

As yet another deadline in the foreclosure fraud settlement passes, an intriguing dynamic is taking hold. Attorneys General with aspirations for higher office – and that describes almost all Attorneys General – are feeling pressure, entirely from the side which doesn’t want to see a broad settlement and a whitewash for the banks. Two more [...]

That cloture vote is still open at the moment, but the Senate will move to advance the health care bill today. They already have close to 70 votes in favor. With that kind of support, passage is assured. But while there’s no question of that, other questions abound: • Will the Senate allow amendments? As [...]

The $20 billion escrow account from BP will not account for all of the charges accrued by the oil giant associated with the gusher in the Gulf. It’s unclear, in fact, just what damages those escrow funds will include. So the $75 million dollar liability cap for economic damages could still come into play. Democrats [...]